Silver Carp
Asian Carp could decimate trout and salmon populations, injure anglers and destroy the fishing industry if they ever make it into the Great Lakes.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that people will be banned from importing or transporting silver Asian carp across United States waters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will list the jumping silver carp as "injurious" under the Lacey Act. That means the fish cannot be shipped around the country without a federal permit. Such permits are typically granted only for research purposes. The goal is to keep the carp out of the Great Lakes and stop the spread of the invasive species.
Silver Asian carp eat zooplankton, a staple for many young fish. Alewives, which are the main food source for trout and salmon, survive on zooplankton their entire lives. The fish, which can reach up to 70 pounds, often jump out of water, which has caused serious injury to boaters.
July 11, 2007 6:55 AM | Category: Fish